Froma Harrop/Syndicated columnist (as printed in the Seattle Times on 11/1/2006)
Ladies, you have power. You single women are 24 percent of the voting-age population and the fastest-growing demographic. But you hold the most dismal voting record of any group. Twenty million of you stayed home for the 2004 election — when George Bush received only 3 million more votes than John Kerry. You overwhelmingly prefer Democrats, so you can shake up Washington, if you care to.
Researchers ask why you don't vote, and you often say, "Because the politicians ignore me." That's what we call a self-fulfilling prophecy. You don't vote, and politicians don't come by with promises of health coverage and decent pay. Once you start exercising your political muscle, the candidates will be up nights thinking of ways to serve your interests.
America's 47 million single women are a diverse group. Some of you are young professionals. Some are elderly widows. Many are single mothers. Half of you live in households that make less than $30,000 a year. Because single older women tend to vote at high rates, the showing by you younger senoritas is even worse than the overall number for single female voters would suggest.
A nonprofit group called "Women's Voices. Women Vote" (www.wvwv.org) tracks the reasons many of you don't show up on Election Day. Time hunger is a big one. Women who work and raise children carry an awful load — and may feel that they don't have time to participate in the democracy. But if you want government programs that will ease your burden, you can't stay home.
A third of you single women move every two years, which makes it more likely that you don't know your polling place. The League of Women Voters can help. Its Web site, www.lwv.org, has links for finding where to vote and for registering. Depending on the location, there may still be time to register for the Nov. 7 election.
Many single women tell researchers that they skip voting because they don't know enough about what's going on to make an informed choice. Single men don't share that sense of inadequacy.
"Unmarried men absolutely don't care," said Page Gardner, president of "Women's Voices. Women Vote." "They'll just vote."
Single women reportedly don't trust the information they get, Gardner adds, "and they hate, hate, hate all the negative advertising."
Lassies, let's talk about the culture for a minute. Although more than half of all households are now headed by single people, the idealized image remains a homestead presided over by a married couple. Not much attention is granted the divorced, the widowed and especially the never-married.
It's not surprising, then, that when Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research interviewed groups of single women, it found a strong, negative reaction to the word "unmarried" or even "women." You seem to believe that being single and female makes you a lesser member of society. And what makes your sense of inferiority really sad is that the same research shows that you react most strongly to messages that appeal to your sense of civic responsibility.
So here's the pep talk: You are as all-American as your married friends or thrice-divorced Rush Limbaugh. And your vote counts just as much.
Women like you are not going to see your reflection in campaign ads — or your interests on the national agenda — until you take yourselves seriously enough to vote.
Vote, my single sisters, and you'll learn what power is all about. And remember: If your politician doesn't treat you with respect, you can find another one who does.
Providence Journal columnist Froma Harrop's column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. Her e-mail address is fharrop@projo.com
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Breaking up isn't so hard to do
It would appear that the 2004 'Security Moms' are now opening their eyes to the fact that their sons and daughters are far less safe with George Bush in office, especially those whose have sons that will be registering for selective service before Bush leaves office.
According to today's story at cnn.com:
Southern women have been some of Bush's biggest fans, defying the traditional gender gap in which women have preferred Democrats to Republicans. Bush secured a second term due in large part to support from 54 percent of Southern female voters while women nationally favored Democrat John Kerry, 51-48 percent
But the continued conflict in Iraq and the direction of the country have caused a great shift in the demographic that the Bush administration had counted on to keep Republicans afloat this November.
Democrats only need 15 seats to take the House and that is well within our grasp. I would say it is five years too late but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and if these Southern Security moms are ready to step up and protect their families and children's futures by helping make that 15 a reality I say, 'welcome, we are excited to see you!'
According to today's story at cnn.com:
Southern women have been some of Bush's biggest fans, defying the traditional gender gap in which women have preferred Democrats to Republicans. Bush secured a second term due in large part to support from 54 percent of Southern female voters while women nationally favored Democrat John Kerry, 51-48 percent
But the continued conflict in Iraq and the direction of the country have caused a great shift in the demographic that the Bush administration had counted on to keep Republicans afloat this November.
Democrats only need 15 seats to take the House and that is well within our grasp. I would say it is five years too late but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and if these Southern Security moms are ready to step up and protect their families and children's futures by helping make that 15 a reality I say, 'welcome, we are excited to see you!'
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Bush no help to women in poverty
by: TERESA HEINZ KERRY and JEFFREY LEWIS
first appeared in the Dayton Daily News, Printed in the Seattle PI 9/6/2006
Today, one in five of America's retired single women and widows live in poverty, and millions more may be just one tragedy or illness away from sharing that fate. But the Bush administration continues to explore Social Security and Medicare "reforms" that are likely to make the status of retired women even more unstable.
The roots of retirement insecurity for women lie in their working lives. Women earn less and spend more years out of the work force, caring for children or parents, leaving less money to set aside for retirement.
As divorced or single parents, they outnumber their male counterparts 5-1, and are more likely to be rearing minor children -- again cutting into their ability to save.
They're also less likely to have jobs that offer retirement plans. And, because they earn less, their Social Security checks are smaller when they retire. Today, the checks of newly retired men are, on average, 47 percent larger than those of women.
As they have less in savings and lower Social Security payments, women benefit greatly from retiring as half of a married couple. But, at 65, women can expect to outlive their husbands by three years -- their income diminished by the loss of their husband's Social Security and pension, while expenses for housing and transportation remain just as great and medical expenses rise.
More than half of U.S. women older than 65 make do without the fiscal support of a husband, while almost three-quarters of older U.S. men live with their wives.
Many other older women face the fiscal and emotional hardships of divorce. About 10 percent of women older than 65 today are divorced or have an absent spouse.
Poverty rates for an aged couple are among the lowest, but those for aged widows and divorced women are among the highest.
Several trends have made retirement more secure for aging women, including requirements that wives must consent if survivor benefits are to be waived under their husbands' pension plans, shorter vesting requirements for pensions, improvements in asset exclusions under Medicaid and the greater number of women who have earned Social Security benefits in their own right.
Those positive developments may be offset by two more dangerous trends. The first is the movement away from retirement plans that pay a guaranteed amount every month, toward plans such as 401(k)s, which require contributions and offer no guarantees. With more time out of the work force and lower disposable incomes to contribute when they are employed, women can look forward to a significantly smaller nest egg than men.
Compounding the problems caused by this shift in pension planning, though, is a continuing effort by the Bush administration and the political right to privatize Social Security and to cut back on Medicare benefits. Those efforts are expected to continue despite the resounding rejection of similar efforts last year.
Recently, it was reported that Republicans might seek a new bipartisan effort to rein in the costs of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
If the social safety net that allows older women a chance at a secure retirement is to be rewoven, it is critical lawmakers take into account the unique needs and circumstances of women. Policy-makers must protect their economic security, lest their likelihood of poverty climb even higher.
As the November elections approach, politicians must remember that women matter, and that women are not timid about expressing their voice when they vote.
Teresa Heinz Kerry is chairwoman of the Heinz Family Philanthropies and the wife of Sen. John Kerry. Jeffrey Lewis is president of the Heinz Family Philanthropies. This column appeared in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News.
first appeared in the Dayton Daily News, Printed in the Seattle PI 9/6/2006
Today, one in five of America's retired single women and widows live in poverty, and millions more may be just one tragedy or illness away from sharing that fate. But the Bush administration continues to explore Social Security and Medicare "reforms" that are likely to make the status of retired women even more unstable.
The roots of retirement insecurity for women lie in their working lives. Women earn less and spend more years out of the work force, caring for children or parents, leaving less money to set aside for retirement.
As divorced or single parents, they outnumber their male counterparts 5-1, and are more likely to be rearing minor children -- again cutting into their ability to save.
They're also less likely to have jobs that offer retirement plans. And, because they earn less, their Social Security checks are smaller when they retire. Today, the checks of newly retired men are, on average, 47 percent larger than those of women.
As they have less in savings and lower Social Security payments, women benefit greatly from retiring as half of a married couple. But, at 65, women can expect to outlive their husbands by three years -- their income diminished by the loss of their husband's Social Security and pension, while expenses for housing and transportation remain just as great and medical expenses rise.
More than half of U.S. women older than 65 make do without the fiscal support of a husband, while almost three-quarters of older U.S. men live with their wives.
Many other older women face the fiscal and emotional hardships of divorce. About 10 percent of women older than 65 today are divorced or have an absent spouse.
Poverty rates for an aged couple are among the lowest, but those for aged widows and divorced women are among the highest.
Several trends have made retirement more secure for aging women, including requirements that wives must consent if survivor benefits are to be waived under their husbands' pension plans, shorter vesting requirements for pensions, improvements in asset exclusions under Medicaid and the greater number of women who have earned Social Security benefits in their own right.
Those positive developments may be offset by two more dangerous trends. The first is the movement away from retirement plans that pay a guaranteed amount every month, toward plans such as 401(k)s, which require contributions and offer no guarantees. With more time out of the work force and lower disposable incomes to contribute when they are employed, women can look forward to a significantly smaller nest egg than men.
Compounding the problems caused by this shift in pension planning, though, is a continuing effort by the Bush administration and the political right to privatize Social Security and to cut back on Medicare benefits. Those efforts are expected to continue despite the resounding rejection of similar efforts last year.
Recently, it was reported that Republicans might seek a new bipartisan effort to rein in the costs of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
If the social safety net that allows older women a chance at a secure retirement is to be rewoven, it is critical lawmakers take into account the unique needs and circumstances of women. Policy-makers must protect their economic security, lest their likelihood of poverty climb even higher.
As the November elections approach, politicians must remember that women matter, and that women are not timid about expressing their voice when they vote.
Teresa Heinz Kerry is chairwoman of the Heinz Family Philanthropies and the wife of Sen. John Kerry. Jeffrey Lewis is president of the Heinz Family Philanthropies. This column appeared in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Prescriptions must be filled under newly adopted rule
Recently Washington's state Board of Pharmacy had been toying with the idea of allowing pharmacists to object to filling prescriptions if they 'morally' object. Of course what they mostly objected to was providing birth control options to women. Yesterday they passed new guidelines that state that individual pharmacist will be required to fill prescriptions IF the drug is in stock.
According to the linked article, this compromise was drafted by Gov. Gregoire and women's advocacy groups are excited with the adoption but it seems that the reality is that this is not really much of a win.
Plan B birth control must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and if a pharmacist 'morally objects' it would seem the easiest way to keep from breaking the new rules is to make sure the needed birth control options are not in stock. I do realize that at times we need to celebrate small wins, but this doesn't seem to be a win of any kind. Rather, this just appears to be nicer packaging on allowing pharmacist's conscience in women's private choices.
I do realize that at times we need to celebrate small wins, but this doesn't seem to be a win of any kind. Rather, this appears to be a nicer package on allowing pharmacists' conscience in women's private choices.
According to the linked article, this compromise was drafted by Gov. Gregoire and women's advocacy groups are excited with the adoption but it seems that the reality is that this is not really much of a win.
Plan B birth control must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and if a pharmacist 'morally objects' it would seem the easiest way to keep from breaking the new rules is to make sure the needed birth control options are not in stock. I do realize that at times we need to celebrate small wins, but this doesn't seem to be a win of any kind. Rather, this just appears to be nicer packaging on allowing pharmacist's conscience in women's private choices.
I do realize that at times we need to celebrate small wins, but this doesn't seem to be a win of any kind. Rather, this appears to be a nicer package on allowing pharmacists' conscience in women's private choices.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Care2 Email
I received the following email this morning from Care2.org:
It's commonsense that people should have ready access to their doctor-prescribed medication.
The anti-choice movement doesn't think so. They believe pharmacists should have the right to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions on "personal, moral or religious grounds." As a result, pharmacists around the country are refusing to fill their customer's birth control prescriptions and states such as Washington and Mississippi are supporting them.
Stop states legislatures from legalizing moral subjectivity. Support Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act Now.
In Madison Wisconsin, pharmacist Neil Noesen refused to fill a woman's birth-control prescription. He also failed to transfer it to another pharmacist or return it to her. By the time she was finally able to get her prescription filled (at the SAME pharmacy by a different pharmacist), she had already missed a pill because of the delay.
For victims of rape, women seeking emergency contraception, and the 80% of American women who use prescription birth control, this is a huge problem. Where can women go, if not to their pharmacy, for contraceptive options?
Don't give conservative states the chance to legally compromise your access to birth control. Sign the petition calling on Congress to support the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act to ensure that every woman in every state can get her prescription for birth control filled, whether or not an individual pharmacist has an objection.
Isn't this a commonsense measure you can support?
Lauren Alvarez,Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
PS. According to the American Pharmacists Association, all practicing pharmacists must pledge to "assume ultimate responsibility for assuring that his/her patient has been able to obtain, and is appropriately using, any drugs and related products." Don't let pharmacists abandon their promise. Sign the petition: http://go.care2.com/e/m4m/qe/s045
It's commonsense that people should have ready access to their doctor-prescribed medication.
The anti-choice movement doesn't think so. They believe pharmacists should have the right to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions on "personal, moral or religious grounds." As a result, pharmacists around the country are refusing to fill their customer's birth control prescriptions and states such as Washington and Mississippi are supporting them.
Stop states legislatures from legalizing moral subjectivity. Support Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act Now.
In Madison Wisconsin, pharmacist Neil Noesen refused to fill a woman's birth-control prescription. He also failed to transfer it to another pharmacist or return it to her. By the time she was finally able to get her prescription filled (at the SAME pharmacy by a different pharmacist), she had already missed a pill because of the delay.
For victims of rape, women seeking emergency contraception, and the 80% of American women who use prescription birth control, this is a huge problem. Where can women go, if not to their pharmacy, for contraceptive options?
Don't give conservative states the chance to legally compromise your access to birth control. Sign the petition calling on Congress to support the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act to ensure that every woman in every state can get her prescription for birth control filled, whether or not an individual pharmacist has an objection.
Isn't this a commonsense measure you can support?
Lauren Alvarez,Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team
PS. According to the American Pharmacists Association, all practicing pharmacists must pledge to "assume ultimate responsibility for assuring that his/her patient has been able to obtain, and is appropriately using, any drugs and related products." Don't let pharmacists abandon their promise. Sign the petition: http://go.care2.com/e/m4m/qe/s045
Need Plan B? He's not selling
It seems that regardless of the FDA's approval for over the counter sales of Plan B. Some Washington State pharmacists feel it is their moral authority to limit women's access to this highly researched pregnancy prevention medication.
This is not an 'abortion pill', this is a pill that when taken 72 hours after unprotected sex PREVENTS fertilization and/or implantation. The same result can be achieved by taking large doses of birth control pills but this requires a Doctor's perscription and exam prior to being given a perscription for birth control bills and generally creates a situation where women are not able to gain access within the 72 hour window.
I've decided that I will be keeping a list of all the pharmacies that are refusing to carry Plan B, because as pharmastists they are choosing to hinder the private choices of their female customers and I believe women should all have that knowledge when choosing where to spend their money. Remember now that it is an over the counter medication it will not be covered under prescription plans so this is completely an out of pocket expense.
I will be sending Mr. Ramseth, the owner and pharmastist at Convington Pharmacy a nice note letting him know that his moral authority over women in our community amounts to nothing more than a clear choice to shop else where.
If you would like to send him a note as well, here is the contact information for the pharmacy as well as additional pharmacies that have refused to carry or dispense on prescriptions for Plan B.
Convington Pharmacy
17239 Southeast 272nd Street
Covington, WA 98042
(253) 631-1200
(425) 235-4916 (fax)
Albertsons-Sav-On - Food Centers
6100 Pacific Avenue Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 491-8283
Rite Aid Pharmacies
691 Sleater Kinney Road Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 491-4111
Walgreen's Drug Store
4540 Lacey Boulevard Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 438-2020
This is not an 'abortion pill', this is a pill that when taken 72 hours after unprotected sex PREVENTS fertilization and/or implantation. The same result can be achieved by taking large doses of birth control pills but this requires a Doctor's perscription and exam prior to being given a perscription for birth control bills and generally creates a situation where women are not able to gain access within the 72 hour window.
I've decided that I will be keeping a list of all the pharmacies that are refusing to carry Plan B, because as pharmastists they are choosing to hinder the private choices of their female customers and I believe women should all have that knowledge when choosing where to spend their money. Remember now that it is an over the counter medication it will not be covered under prescription plans so this is completely an out of pocket expense.
I will be sending Mr. Ramseth, the owner and pharmastist at Convington Pharmacy a nice note letting him know that his moral authority over women in our community amounts to nothing more than a clear choice to shop else where.
If you would like to send him a note as well, here is the contact information for the pharmacy as well as additional pharmacies that have refused to carry or dispense on prescriptions for Plan B.
Convington Pharmacy
17239 Southeast 272nd Street
Covington, WA 98042
(253) 631-1200
(425) 235-4916 (fax)
Albertsons-Sav-On - Food Centers
6100 Pacific Avenue Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 491-8283
Rite Aid Pharmacies
691 Sleater Kinney Road Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 491-4111
Walgreen's Drug Store
4540 Lacey Boulevard Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 438-2020
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Pastor Ken Hutcherson is the vile Redmond, Washington minister that continues to push his agenda of hate.
While he is once again calling for a national boycott of the business that are lending their support to Washington state's anti-discrimination bill, I would like to ask those of us in the area to return the favor and boycott all his ministries and services. There are many churches available that believe fully in the christian value of loving thy neighbor and would love to know that you also support their ministries and work as well.
Please counteract his hate by visiting and signing up to support Equal Rights Washington( http://equalrightswashington.org/)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Taming of a Defiant Mind - Tracy Johnson (Seattle PI)
2005 was a year of deep pain for me and my family. We have struggled with a number of family illnesses and loss and so most of which left me feeling unwilling to share my thoughts openly with anyone. That was until I ran across this article today in the Seattle PI. I sat sobbing at the loss for the family of this little boy and grateful that this woman was able to continue to get the help she so obviously needed.
In September I received a call from my father, telling me that my cousin had killed himself the day before. I sat dumbfounded by the news, as it just seemed impossible. I was the lucky one though because I had the luxury of only knowing him as a young man filled with life and potential. He was quite a bit older than me and my memories are those of a child watching in awe as he seemed to shine in everything he did. He was always on the go, after college moving to Colorado to ski during the winter then back to Idaho for summers on the lake where he would always make time for me and my brother. He would take us boating and helped teach my little brother to swim. It didn't seemed to matter that we were always tagging along, he would take us to the store and buy ice cream and never complained when his parents asked him to keep us busy. I loved and adored him.
As I said, I had the luxury of only my childhood memories. I never knew the man he became as he fell deeply into mental illness. My cousin was schizophrenic, and yet always in my memory was larger than life itself. Maybe this was what made it even harder for him, the potential that was locked inside and the demons that kept him from reaching it. The last time I saw him was a few years back at a family holiday function, he was quiet and shy and I missed him deeply.
My cousin struggled so hard with his illness, as many will tell you at times the cure feels worse than the disease and he was on and off with his medications, at the time of his death he was off and drinking heavily. My family seems to be pulling itself apart at the seams, as everyone wants to find something tangible to blame for this happening.
I know I'm rambling, and quite possibly have sent any readers packing...but the reality is this post is just for me today. I've included the link because it's such and important story, we need to realize that yes infact these things happen, and we as a society need to be ready to help our brothers, sisters, cousins, or even our parents if they are not well and know that the demons inside may just be punishment enough.
In September I received a call from my father, telling me that my cousin had killed himself the day before. I sat dumbfounded by the news, as it just seemed impossible. I was the lucky one though because I had the luxury of only knowing him as a young man filled with life and potential. He was quite a bit older than me and my memories are those of a child watching in awe as he seemed to shine in everything he did. He was always on the go, after college moving to Colorado to ski during the winter then back to Idaho for summers on the lake where he would always make time for me and my brother. He would take us boating and helped teach my little brother to swim. It didn't seemed to matter that we were always tagging along, he would take us to the store and buy ice cream and never complained when his parents asked him to keep us busy. I loved and adored him.
As I said, I had the luxury of only my childhood memories. I never knew the man he became as he fell deeply into mental illness. My cousin was schizophrenic, and yet always in my memory was larger than life itself. Maybe this was what made it even harder for him, the potential that was locked inside and the demons that kept him from reaching it. The last time I saw him was a few years back at a family holiday function, he was quiet and shy and I missed him deeply.
My cousin struggled so hard with his illness, as many will tell you at times the cure feels worse than the disease and he was on and off with his medications, at the time of his death he was off and drinking heavily. My family seems to be pulling itself apart at the seams, as everyone wants to find something tangible to blame for this happening.
I know I'm rambling, and quite possibly have sent any readers packing...but the reality is this post is just for me today. I've included the link because it's such and important story, we need to realize that yes infact these things happen, and we as a society need to be ready to help our brothers, sisters, cousins, or even our parents if they are not well and know that the demons inside may just be punishment enough.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
The Highest Price of Ignorance
Last night while switching channels I stopped to hear the most horrific story on Oprah. The story being ran was on child abuse, but the story being told went far beyond what any one person could fathom.
What I heard was a tale of infant/child rape and the numbers were staggering. In South Africa nearly 60 children a day are raped and it is not isolated to older children as more and more infants are being brutually raped. As I stared dumbfounded at the tv, with tears streaming down my face it was almost more unbearable to learn the reason this is happening. South African men have been told that they can cure themselves of AIDS/HIV by having sex with a virgin. Essentially passing the disease onto these children. Because the victims of these horrendous acts of violence cannot speak up only scream from the fear and agony of what has happened to them their rapists generally go unpunished for their crimes.
In 2003 Amnesty International submitted their report to the South African government working to pass stricter criminal laws in regards to sexual offenses (http://www.amnestyusa.org/women/document.do?id=E2F89E976E03D6B980256DA50056E645) . In this report, they sited nearly 40% of all rape victims are girls under the age of 18, but that number could be higher as many of these case go unreported. It also notes that in South Africa 1 out of 20 children between the ages of 2-14 are HIV positive and that most of these cases cannot be linked back to mother-child transmition.
The men that attack these children with such brutality leave them for dead, and for many that is how they are found. Others are found screaming, which never seems to end for them. The worst case that was reported and actually made the headlines was of a 9 month baby girl being raped by 5 men. For this little girl the story has a happier ending. She thankfully was adopted by an American woman living in South Africa and has been able to over come the attack through complete unconditional love from her new family. Many other children are not that lucky, they are abandoned and taken to group homes with other children that have suffered the same fate.
While all this is happening the Bush Administration as yet to fulfill his financial committment he made back in 2001 to help. Not only are the Republican's not living up to our committment, Bush has used this as another opportunity to line the pockets of his 'base' as he reneged on his agreement to create exceptions to the internation patent laws that would then allow these nations to import less expensive generic alternatives. Bush also doesn't want to look at the real cause of epidemic but rather funds programs to teach abstinence.
As the President and his constituients like to point out they believe in the culture of life and yet this is the same group turning a blind eye to the destruction of so much young life in this world. For a group so determined to take away family planning alternatives and eduction programs he is personally dooming more and more children to die both a physical and emotional death.
As you can tell I'm only touching on a small part of a huge problem. It is far bigger then I'm prepared to talk about as I just don't know. What I do know is that we need to demand that Bush fund these programs and keep his promise to these nations. Please help these children, they have no voice that our President will hear.
Fact Sheet: The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic - UPDATE
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=49626
What I heard was a tale of infant/child rape and the numbers were staggering. In South Africa nearly 60 children a day are raped and it is not isolated to older children as more and more infants are being brutually raped. As I stared dumbfounded at the tv, with tears streaming down my face it was almost more unbearable to learn the reason this is happening. South African men have been told that they can cure themselves of AIDS/HIV by having sex with a virgin. Essentially passing the disease onto these children. Because the victims of these horrendous acts of violence cannot speak up only scream from the fear and agony of what has happened to them their rapists generally go unpunished for their crimes.
In 2003 Amnesty International submitted their report to the South African government working to pass stricter criminal laws in regards to sexual offenses (http://www.amnestyusa.org/women/document.do?id=E2F89E976E03D6B980256DA50056E645) . In this report, they sited nearly 40% of all rape victims are girls under the age of 18, but that number could be higher as many of these case go unreported. It also notes that in South Africa 1 out of 20 children between the ages of 2-14 are HIV positive and that most of these cases cannot be linked back to mother-child transmition.
The men that attack these children with such brutality leave them for dead, and for many that is how they are found. Others are found screaming, which never seems to end for them. The worst case that was reported and actually made the headlines was of a 9 month baby girl being raped by 5 men. For this little girl the story has a happier ending. She thankfully was adopted by an American woman living in South Africa and has been able to over come the attack through complete unconditional love from her new family. Many other children are not that lucky, they are abandoned and taken to group homes with other children that have suffered the same fate.
While all this is happening the Bush Administration as yet to fulfill his financial committment he made back in 2001 to help. Not only are the Republican's not living up to our committment, Bush has used this as another opportunity to line the pockets of his 'base' as he reneged on his agreement to create exceptions to the internation patent laws that would then allow these nations to import less expensive generic alternatives. Bush also doesn't want to look at the real cause of epidemic but rather funds programs to teach abstinence.
As the President and his constituients like to point out they believe in the culture of life and yet this is the same group turning a blind eye to the destruction of so much young life in this world. For a group so determined to take away family planning alternatives and eduction programs he is personally dooming more and more children to die both a physical and emotional death.
As you can tell I'm only touching on a small part of a huge problem. It is far bigger then I'm prepared to talk about as I just don't know. What I do know is that we need to demand that Bush fund these programs and keep his promise to these nations. Please help these children, they have no voice that our President will hear.
Fact Sheet: The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic - UPDATE
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=49626
Monday, June 13, 2005
The Forgotton War Wears On
This particular article by Kim Barker with the Chicago Tribune seemed to be as good a topic as any. While the US holds its breath waiting for the next causualty report from Iraq, it would seem that everyone has forgotten what the 'just' fight was all about, including our President. We started down this path in what American's believed to be a valid cause, finding Osama Bin Laden. Now after almost four years, our focus is on rebuilding a country we have virtually destroyed, essentially turning our back on what we believed to be important.
This quote from Ms. Barker's story says it all:
"When I told some of my friends back home I was going to Afghanistan, one was like, 'We're still over there? We have troops over there?' " said Sgt. Michael Kennicker, 25, of Greenwood, Neb. "To me, it is forgotten. It really is."
This war should not be forgotten. They are still fighting and our men and women are still in danger. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8197613/
This quote from Ms. Barker's story says it all:
"When I told some of my friends back home I was going to Afghanistan, one was like, 'We're still over there? We have troops over there?' " said Sgt. Michael Kennicker, 25, of Greenwood, Neb. "To me, it is forgotten. It really is."
We currently have over 16000 troups in Afghanistan and while their situation may not be as imminently dangerous as it is for our troups in Iraq, it is still a war zone. Many of these soldiers have also served in Iraq as well as an additional tour in Afghanistan.
This war should not be forgotten. They are still fighting and our men and women are still in danger. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8197613/
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Homeless Bound
Last Month Congress passed stricter laws governing how and who will be able to file bankruptcy. It all seems quite natural when you consider that the both the House and Senate on run by a Republican majority and their loyalties are to those that pay for their holidays. What congress seems unable and unwilling to address is the drastic jump in the cost of living and the less than adequate income levels of a larger percentage of the US population. A recent study done by the laborer’s union my husband belongs to showed that to match the lifestyle of those in the Union in the 70’s (own a home, spouse home with the kids, and savings in the bank) today’s workers would have to make double what they make now. The compromise for us is that I work full time out of the home. I’m definitely counted as one of the lucky, my mother in law lives with us and so she is able to watch our children, but this isn’t always going to be an option, and again the choice will have to be made about how to juggle the bills, keep a roof over our heads and struggle to come to terms with the fact that I see less of my children than daycare does.
As I said, I’m one of the lucky ones, for now. But so many American’s are just one small slip away from going under in the sea of debt. In today’s Seattle PI there is a piece today on how home ownership is slipping out of the hands of so many, as they struggle to keep even the most meager roof over there heads. In King County (Seattle) the average cost of a single family home in 2005 is $424,499.00 that has more than doubled in 10 years. The annual income needed to be able to afford a $245K home is $76, 360, which prices out of the market school teachers, police officers, nurses and of course retail sales workers. (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1208 )
In the Western Washington region 20% of the population is surviving on less than $38K a year for a family of four. While the definition for poverty has not changed since the 1960s when American’s were spending nearly 1/3 of their income on food; now the cost of healthcare, child care and transportation consume far more than the cost of food but politicians do not want to see the number of people below the poverty line double under their watch so the definition remains unchanged. Before you stop and are thankful you don’t live in Washington, this problem is not isolated to this region. Nationally in 2000 30% of the US population lived at or below double the federal poverty level.
What is going to be the answer? When are we going to stop allowing our government to send us to war in order for them to ignore what is happening right here at home. Mr. President, your citizens are starving, do something. Stop trying to line the fat pockets of your base through Social Security privatization and bankruptcy protection to the credit card companies. Mr. Bush, it is time you turned your attention home, this land of greatness is slipping, our children need more, our poor need more and our middle class need the help to insure they do not slip further. America is starving for success that we once saw within our grasp and under your reign as quickly evaporated.
(For the complete series of articles from the Seattle PI http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/workingpoor/ )
As I said, I’m one of the lucky ones, for now. But so many American’s are just one small slip away from going under in the sea of debt. In today’s Seattle PI there is a piece today on how home ownership is slipping out of the hands of so many, as they struggle to keep even the most meager roof over there heads. In King County (Seattle) the average cost of a single family home in 2005 is $424,499.00 that has more than doubled in 10 years. The annual income needed to be able to afford a $245K home is $76, 360, which prices out of the market school teachers, police officers, nurses and of course retail sales workers. (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=1208 )
In the Western Washington region 20% of the population is surviving on less than $38K a year for a family of four. While the definition for poverty has not changed since the 1960s when American’s were spending nearly 1/3 of their income on food; now the cost of healthcare, child care and transportation consume far more than the cost of food but politicians do not want to see the number of people below the poverty line double under their watch so the definition remains unchanged. Before you stop and are thankful you don’t live in Washington, this problem is not isolated to this region. Nationally in 2000 30% of the US population lived at or below double the federal poverty level.
What is going to be the answer? When are we going to stop allowing our government to send us to war in order for them to ignore what is happening right here at home. Mr. President, your citizens are starving, do something. Stop trying to line the fat pockets of your base through Social Security privatization and bankruptcy protection to the credit card companies. Mr. Bush, it is time you turned your attention home, this land of greatness is slipping, our children need more, our poor need more and our middle class need the help to insure they do not slip further. America is starving for success that we once saw within our grasp and under your reign as quickly evaporated.
(For the complete series of articles from the Seattle PI http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/workingpoor/ )
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Talk About Sticker Shock
Each month I purchase an airline ticket for my son to travel from Las Vegas to Seattle for a weekend visit. His father decided late last year out of the blue to pick up and move to the land of casinos and lounge acts and took my oldest son with him. It took a lot of reshuffling, both emotionally (still in the process) and financially to be able to make this a smooth transition and help my son to feel confident that he would be back every month for a visit. Now after only 4 visits under our belt we are staring dumb struck at the cost of the ticket to Seattle. For those that have not purchased a ticket in the last month or so, price one just for fun. I will say that the price has jumped on average $100-150 per ticket and this is with advance purchase.
I've had to stop and ask how in the world they think the value of the service matches the price. For example, Alaska Airlines has had very little sucess at getting a plane in or out even close to on time, each flight has been close to two hours off schedule. How do they fix this? They change the schedule to match the reality instead of the goal. Wouldn't want them to strive to be over acheivers or anything; especially in this day and age when mediocrity is rewarded (just look at our President).
So it comes down to one thing, the price of gas is cutting into their bottom line, so much so that airlines have tried to bump the price of the tickets to increase profits, well it isn't working people are choosing not to fly. Yesterday Alaska Airlines announced another profit saving solution, they fired 427 of their baggage handlers and ramp workers in Seattle and outsourced their jobs to a UK based company. (BTW, last I checked the British Pound is still as sound, and the US dollar cost more to print than it is worth). When I say announced I mean they announced to the news but forgot to tell the employees they were fired. Many newly unemployed Alaska Airlines employees found out over their morning cup of coffee while they got ready for work, others found out when they arrived at work and their access cards no longer would let them in.
Alaska airlines is also in negotiations with other union workers and after yesterday's announcement many are expecting the same outcome. Alaska pilots filed a lawsuit in US District court yesterday to vacate the arbitor's decision that cut their pay on average 26%. When I think about all that they are going through, I really wonder how I could think about putting my son on an airline with employees that are probably not very happy with the company they work for, it just seems inevetible that delays and service issues are going to be the force driving their profits down and leaving their customers late and unhappy.
These new improved labor practices coupled with the cost and lack of service that is available with Alaska Airlines has led me to my point. I am now searching for a new airline that will make this trip from Las Vegas to Seattle as painfree for myself and their employees. Bye Bye Alaska Air, you used to serve me well but this loyal customer just cashed in her last batch of miles and will be flying someone else's friendly skys.
I've had to stop and ask how in the world they think the value of the service matches the price. For example, Alaska Airlines has had very little sucess at getting a plane in or out even close to on time, each flight has been close to two hours off schedule. How do they fix this? They change the schedule to match the reality instead of the goal. Wouldn't want them to strive to be over acheivers or anything; especially in this day and age when mediocrity is rewarded (just look at our President).
So it comes down to one thing, the price of gas is cutting into their bottom line, so much so that airlines have tried to bump the price of the tickets to increase profits, well it isn't working people are choosing not to fly. Yesterday Alaska Airlines announced another profit saving solution, they fired 427 of their baggage handlers and ramp workers in Seattle and outsourced their jobs to a UK based company. (BTW, last I checked the British Pound is still as sound, and the US dollar cost more to print than it is worth). When I say announced I mean they announced to the news but forgot to tell the employees they were fired. Many newly unemployed Alaska Airlines employees found out over their morning cup of coffee while they got ready for work, others found out when they arrived at work and their access cards no longer would let them in.
Alaska airlines is also in negotiations with other union workers and after yesterday's announcement many are expecting the same outcome. Alaska pilots filed a lawsuit in US District court yesterday to vacate the arbitor's decision that cut their pay on average 26%. When I think about all that they are going through, I really wonder how I could think about putting my son on an airline with employees that are probably not very happy with the company they work for, it just seems inevetible that delays and service issues are going to be the force driving their profits down and leaving their customers late and unhappy.
These new improved labor practices coupled with the cost and lack of service that is available with Alaska Airlines has led me to my point. I am now searching for a new airline that will make this trip from Las Vegas to Seattle as painfree for myself and their employees. Bye Bye Alaska Air, you used to serve me well but this loyal customer just cashed in her last batch of miles and will be flying someone else's friendly skys.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Anti-Security Mom
Welcome to my first attempt at sharing my random musings. I’ve decided that the best place to say what I want is a place where only I have the password. :) I make no claims to have any answers or even the answer. I promise to always speak my mind, and unlike the President will apologize if I later find out my opinion on something was off base or wrong. I am not an expert, I have three kids, a full time job, a live in mother in law and a husband so time is always limited. I don’t promise that everything I say will be interesting or even that funny. I can’t claim to have lived a colorful life, but I still plan to share so that maybe just maybe something I’ve experienced will help someone else or someone will have sage advice for something I am struggling with. If you are sensitive, or expect this lady to be soft and nice then you are in the wrong place. Check your feelings at the door folks. I am opinionated, sometimes abrasive and generally not very worried about other’s feelings. So with that said, I’ll get to the name of the blog….Anti Security Mom.
So much has been made over the 'security moms' making such a difference for Bush in the last election. I've had to step back and ask myself if I too am a security mom, I care about my children’s safety; in fact it is of the utmost importance to me, but alas I do not believe I would ever claim the title of security mom.
To be a security mom it seems that one must check all critical thought at the door. To claim that one voted for Bush because they now feel safer and that their children are safer just seems asinine when you consider the situation in this country. Just the other day, we watched the Capital evacuated because of a small single engine plane flying into restricted airspace. Do you think the people on the ground felt safer, did all those moms at work think ‘wow I'm glad President Bush is watching our back?’ Speaking of Bush, do you think these security moms realized where exactly GWB was and what he was doing? I know that I felt so much more secure with him out riding his bicycle as it meant he was not able to launch another pre-emptive attack on an unsuspecting sovereign nation. BTW…do we know if the secret service ever re-installed the training wheels that came with that shiny bike of his?
So I am the Anti-Security Mom. I believe my children's safety falls squarely on the shoulders of removing the Republican's from the majority in DC. I will not have to worry about my children being drafted to fight a war based on the lies and rhetoric from a paper cutout President. I believe we will be safer when we have leadership that understands the need to sit back down at the table to talk about nuclear weapons. I also believe that we all will feel safer when we worry less that our right to free speech is protected and valued by the leadership of our country.
This current presidency has done little if anything to help us feel more secure. I believe as a mother it is irresponsible to my children to turn a blind eye to that fact and jump on the bandwagon. I refuse to check critical thought or my own family values and responsibility at the door and sign that loyalty oath to this regime. I am loyal to my country, my family and my friends. If that isn’t enough so be it, but for now that is all I have and all I am.
I hope this turns out to be therapeutic for me and entertaining for you, but it is my first try and I expect to learn as I go so patience is always appreciated.
So much has been made over the 'security moms' making such a difference for Bush in the last election. I've had to step back and ask myself if I too am a security mom, I care about my children’s safety; in fact it is of the utmost importance to me, but alas I do not believe I would ever claim the title of security mom.
To be a security mom it seems that one must check all critical thought at the door. To claim that one voted for Bush because they now feel safer and that their children are safer just seems asinine when you consider the situation in this country. Just the other day, we watched the Capital evacuated because of a small single engine plane flying into restricted airspace. Do you think the people on the ground felt safer, did all those moms at work think ‘wow I'm glad President Bush is watching our back?’ Speaking of Bush, do you think these security moms realized where exactly GWB was and what he was doing? I know that I felt so much more secure with him out riding his bicycle as it meant he was not able to launch another pre-emptive attack on an unsuspecting sovereign nation. BTW…do we know if the secret service ever re-installed the training wheels that came with that shiny bike of his?
So I am the Anti-Security Mom. I believe my children's safety falls squarely on the shoulders of removing the Republican's from the majority in DC. I will not have to worry about my children being drafted to fight a war based on the lies and rhetoric from a paper cutout President. I believe we will be safer when we have leadership that understands the need to sit back down at the table to talk about nuclear weapons. I also believe that we all will feel safer when we worry less that our right to free speech is protected and valued by the leadership of our country.
This current presidency has done little if anything to help us feel more secure. I believe as a mother it is irresponsible to my children to turn a blind eye to that fact and jump on the bandwagon. I refuse to check critical thought or my own family values and responsibility at the door and sign that loyalty oath to this regime. I am loyal to my country, my family and my friends. If that isn’t enough so be it, but for now that is all I have and all I am.
I hope this turns out to be therapeutic for me and entertaining for you, but it is my first try and I expect to learn as I go so patience is always appreciated.
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